While many of our favorite dads in pop culture are often glamorized with extreme wealth or powers like Tony Stark from The Avengers movies and Mr. Incredible from The Incredibles, we can all agree that what made them memorable was when the masks came off and they showed us their humanity, revealing just how much they care for their family and how much they’re willing to do to keep them safe. Similar to our dads in real life, the most memorable fictional dads or father figures are the ones who put family first.
We have previously covered a list of inspiring dads from our favorite movies, series, and books here, but we feel there are more that deserve recognition. So in celebration of Father’s Day, here are SEA Wave’s favorite Culture Dads – Part 2!
Kim Tae-ho from Space Sweepers
Photo from Netflix
Song Joong Ki’s heroic character from Space Sweepers, Kim Tae-ho, isn’t someone that you would associate with a list like this, but he does have the traits that make him a lovable father. His leadership and kindness inspired his daughter to be a good person like him, which is the best thing a dad can do for their children.
Scott Lang (played by Paul Rudd) from Ant-Man
Photo from Marvel Studios
Scott Lang might have committed some shady acts in his past, but his redemption arc as Ant-Man throughout the Marvel Cinematic Universe proved that at the core of his character is the drive to become a better father to his daughter Cassie. Marvel had a long history of great dads and father figures, from Tony Stark to Uncle Ben Parker, and we believe Scott easily belongs in that list.
Manuel from Seven Sundays
Photo from Star Cinema
Manuel knows to himself that he has his shortcomings in the past as a father, but he’s trying to make up for it with his remaining time to just be there for his kids. Excellently played by Ronaldo Valdez, Manuel from Seven Sundays is one of the most memorable dads in recent years for Philippine cinema.
Mr. Ping from Kung Fu Panda
Photo from DreamWorks
Mr. Ping, Po the Panda’s adoptive father, is incredibly supportive and encouraging for his son despite the differences of their life ambitions. He is endearing, almost flawless and one of the kindest characters Dreamworks has created in their long list of animated films.
Seok-Woo from Train to Busan
Photo from Next Entertainment
While Train to Busan effectively scares us with zombie thrills, it also succeeded in creating an emotional narrative with Seok-Woo and his daughter Su-an. Another single parent, Seok-Woo learns from the get-go that he has to become stronger as his daughter’s fate is put to test, even braving a train full of zombies just to get Su-an to safety.
Anton Trese from Trese
Photo from Netflix
Anton Trese from Netflix’s anime series Trese is a last-minute addition here, but who wouldn’t want to see more of his instinctively protective nature. While his daughter Alexandra shines through as the show’s protagonist, Anton made a lasting impression on audiences during his brief appearance.
Ybrahim from Encantadia
Photo from GMA Network
Ybrahim is a true warrior. His love for his community is present throughout the show, and it is more highlighted when he eventually had his children. There have been numerous incarnations of Encantadia and yet Dingdong Dantes has done something truly singular and humane in his portrayal.
Clint Barton from The Avengers
Photo from Marvel Studios
Clint Barton briefly showed us in Avengers: Age of Ultron and Avengers: Endgame how much of a family man he is beyond his time as the arrow-shooting hero Hawkeye. This is why his emotions and powers are put to test when his entire family became one of the many victims in Thanos’ “snap” in Infinity War. But it all worked out in the end, and we’re poised to see him stronger than ever in future films and series.
Pepito Manaloto
Photo from GMA Network
Michael V’s Pepito Manaloto is an icon in Philippine television not just because of his quips, but for his pure heart and love for everyone, especially his family. Throughout the long run of the Pepito Manaloto series, we never thought to hate someone as kind as him, which is why it’s difficult to not put him on this list.
Daniel LaRusso from Cobra Kai
Photo from Netflix
It is truly surreal to see Ralph Macchio’s Daniel LaRusso stepped in the shoes of Mister Miyagi as the father figure The Karate Kid spin-off Cobra Kai. The entire franchise is undeniably about fatherhood, and recent build-ups in Daniel’s arc explain why loyalty can be thicker than blood in terms of choosing our role models in life.
Do you have pop culture dads you want to add in this list? Share it with us in the comments section below.